Hi All

Ok the more full version. We arrived in NZ after packing, cleaning and putting Karinya on the market.  Very sad to leave Karinya as she has taken us 23,000 NM (45,000 KM) and 70% around the world in complete safety and comfort.  We visited 28 countries, crossed the 2 largest oceans and she still looks as good as the day we set out from Brighton just shy of 2 years ago. What a fantastic boat, a testament to the manufacturers of this great offshore boat design. If anyone wants to buy a boat to realise their dreams, look on www.multihullsolutions.com.au

So we arrived in Auckland and to meet us were Peter and Christine a couple we met and sailed with in Europe at the beginning of our adventure. That is the great thing about sailing, you meet great like-minded people who become friends for life. They came in 2 cars knowing how much luggage we would have even though we have emptied Karinya 3 times, she still had tons of stuff we could not leave behind.  So off to luxury we headed, they have a beautiful house overlooking the sea and in the distance across the bay you can see Auckland.

For us total luxury, the kids had their own bedroom, we had huge bedroom with private bathroom and outside was a hot tub to soak away in.

View from P&C room

After a night catching up, I accompanied peter to the rowing club. He coaches a private school team and they are just about to compete in the NZ nationals. Little did I know but Peter rowed for NZ in 1988 and won silver in the world championships, his picture is all over the club house walls so quite a NZ sailing Icon.

Vicki went off with Christine to buy Callum his birthday present…..yes we eventually broke down and bought him a 3DS game thingy. The 1^st thing he wanted to do was to call his mate Jake and let him know he has the latest and greatest gismo!

The 3^rd was his birthday and we took him to an archery experience. The min age was 10 so we told a white lie, however after 10 minutes miss muffet told them he was 9!!! They took it ok and he was allowed to continue. I think he enjoyed it, but as he was not allowed to shoot anything but the target, he was slightly disappointed. Peter then took us to a fish restaurant in Auckland on the marina. The food was unreal, Vic did the green lipped muscle thing, I did the calamari. As you looked out of the restaurant all you could see were thousands of boats, this is probably their greatest passion after ……rugby!

The next day was a surprise birthday party for Peter who turned 60 and his son Tim who turned 21. Lots of people with a braai on their front lawn overlooking the bay.

The following day we picked up our new home for the next 4 weeks…..after Vicki had lived in the splendour of P&C house, she was a little disappointed (ok distraught) with our 1920 smelly supposedly 4 berth camper!

You can see why she was not happy

After much coaxing, I got her in and 2 tons of luggage and we set off north. Another sailing friend (Aisling) has a friend Michelle who lives near Omaha beach (NZ), she has a lovely country house and has several horses, she kindly let us camp on her driveway for the night. Cal Jess and Vicki did some riding, we tried some fantastic wines from the local region and the next day we set off South again.

See continued in next blog.